Attorney General Tong Warns Connecticut Residents to be Wary of Scam Fire Department Text Messages

Press Releases

04/19/2022

Lawyer Common Tong Warns Connecticut Residents to be Cautious of Rip-off Hearth Division Textual content Messages

(Hartford, CT) — Lawyer Common WilliamTong in the present day warned Connecticut residents to be cautious of textual content message scams pretending to promote merchandise benefiting native fireplace departments.

Over the vacation weekend, not less than eight Connecticut fireplace departments reported that residents had acquired textual content messages purporting to be from the fireplace division with hyperlinks promoting and promoting discounted fireplace division merchandise.

“Scammers benefit from beneficiant and goodhearted individuals who simply wish to assist. Don’t fall for his or her ways,” Lawyer Common Tong mentioned. “When you obtain one among these messages or any solicitations for a donation or buy, do your homework first. Take your time and confirm that the group is authentic and that your donation goes the place you assume it’s.”

Hearth departments in Harwinton, Killingworth, Seymour and Newtown issued alerts over the weekend warning residents that these messages have been scams and to disregard them.

When you obtain an unsolicited textual content message or telephone name with a hyperlink asking for a donation or requesting that you just make a purchase order, don’t click on the hyperlink.

If the message comes from a corporation you’re aware of, akin to your native fireplace division, name the non-emergency line and confirm that they’re certainly searching for donations or promoting merchandise.

Extra Ideas for Giving Safely:

• Do your homework. Earlier than making a charitable donation, be sure you know who you’re coping with and what your donation shall be used for. The Higher Enterprise Bureau Clever Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, or Guidestar are good sources for verifying a charity is authentic.
• Charities soliciting in Connecticut should be registered with the Division of Shopper Safety. You may confirm a registration by visiting elicense.ct.gov.
• Don’t be pressured. Don’t donate if the solicitor makes use of high-pressure ways, asks for cost in money or insists on sending somebody to choose up your donation.
• Watch out when giving out your private data or credentials. Typically donors are required to make an account with their private data with a purpose to give to a charity. These accounts will be compromised, and your data will be stolen.
• Tax Deductible Donations: If making a tax-deductible donation is essential to you, use the Exempt Organizations Choose Device at IRS.gov to search out certified charities. Solely donations to certified charitable organizations are tax-deductible. After you have made your donation, remember to get a receipt to your contribution.
• Preserve data of your donations. When you donate by bank card, examine your statements intently to be sure you’re charged just for what you agreed to donate.

Connecticut residents might report charity associated fraud by contacting the Workplace of the Lawyer Common by way of e-mail at lawyer.common@ct.gov or by calling 860-808-5318. Complaints will be filed right here.

Twitter: @AGWilliamTong

Fb: CT Lawyer Common

Media Contact:

Elizabeth Benton
elizabeth.benton@ct.gov
860-808-5324 (workplace)
860-214-0937 (cell)

Shopper Inquiries:

860-808-5318
lawyer.common@ct.gov